Disclaimer: I do not own Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End). I write this for your enjoyment only. This fic is an alternate version of the Nagoya Arc with events different from the original; please refer to the footnotes at the end. Once again, I would like to thank my beta readers, ResidentialPsycho and Falchion1984, for their help in making this fic possible. Enjoy and please review!
Chapter 24: And Lead Me Not into Temptation
"Sir Mikaela, we've almost arrived. It won't be long before we reach Nagoya City Hall," a young vampire guard said as he offered Mika a white cloak that matched those of the other soldiers accompanying them.
Mika nodded and accepted the garment as he stood up from his seat in the aircraft that he and the five guards Rene recommended he take to Nagoya. It was uncertain whether the older vampire made this recommendation out of distrust toward Mika or out concern for his safety in order to avoid the queen's wrath should the blond fail to return alive.
Not that it mattered to Mikaela. Right now, there was only one thing on his mind, and that was finding his long-lost adoptive sister, who had been kept from him for far too long. Although he had preferred to come alone to conduct his search for Yuu, Mika knew that insisting to do so would arouse the suspicions of his two constant companions from Sanguinem, so the blond pretended to go along with Rene's suggestion.
But now there was no way he could allow his subordinates to go any further, lest they discover that Mikaela never intended to find and protect the noble that Aihara claimed the MDC were targeting next.
"Thank you," Mika said coolly as he placed the cloak around his shoulders while trying to think of a way to rid himself of his unwanted companions. The last thing the blond needed was for any of them to return and report his deception to Lacus and Rene.
Before the guard who had offered Mika the cloak could reply, they heard another guard, who had just opened the hatch to the carrier and looked down to the buildings below where one large building in particular appeared to be on fire. Alarmed, he call out to them while looking down to the city below.
"Hey, what's going on down there? The humans must be attacking Lord Crowley's domain! We have no choice, we must call for reinforcements!"
Knowing that he must act before his subordinates could call for backup, Mika quickly drew his sword and lopped off the head of the guard closest to him; the blond moved so quickly that the other vampire never knew what hit him. While the others were distracted by the fire and had their backs turned to him Mika moved to strike down a second soldier by plunging his sword into the man's back and through his heart before he even had a chance to scream.
It was times like these that Mika was grateful for the cover provided by the combined noise of the chaos below and the furious whirring of the aircraft's engine, allowing him to strike at his distracted subordinates. After hearing no reply to the suggestion that they call for reinforcements from their leader, a third guard turned his head slightly, his eyes widening when he saw the bloodied corpses of two other vampire soldiers on the floor and Mikaela standing over them with his sword drawn and a look of indifference on his face while they turned to ash. *1*
"Hey, what do you think you're…"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Mikaela sliced him in half at the waist. But not before he caught the attention of the remaining two soldiers, who had managed to react in time and assumed a defensive stance.
"Sir Mikaela, what is the meaning of this!?" one guard demanded.
"I don't know what your intentions are, but treason is a very serious crime!" the other exclaimed. "Even if you are the queen's adopted son, if you betray us, we have no choice but to eliminate you!"
To this, Mikaela gave a smile that looked almost sad. As a fledgling of Queen Krul Tepes, he knew he was more than powerful enough to take on the remaining two guards alone.
"I am sorry," the blond apologized, his tone sounding almost regretful. "I have nothing against any of you personally. But I have my own mission to fulfill, and cannot allow you to go any further. Forgive me."
Without another word, Mikaela swung his sword in an arc, emanating a gust of wind powerful enough to knock the last two vampire guards off their feet and right out the hatch door. While it may not have been a certain kill, Mika knew that even if his subordinates managed to survive the long fall to the city below, it was unlikely they would be able to follow him. And that was what the blond had intended all along, that he be able to continue his search for Yuichiro alone and without interference from anyone else.
His lips now curving into a genuine smile, Mikaela sheathed his sword before closing the hatch. Since the aircraft was on autopilot, he only had to wait for it to reach its destination and land, allowing him to take care of the rest.
Taking Yuu's pink handkerchief from his pocket once more, Mika pressed it to his face.
I'm almost there, Yuu-chan! Just wait a little longer…
SSSSSS
"Everyone, in here! And don't forget to lock the doors!" Shinya ordered as he led the three remaining squads of the MDC with the exception of Narumi's, into another large abandoned building as soon as he was certain the vampires they had just fled from weren't following.
To reduce the chances of their enemies finding them again, Goshi created an illusion of their hiding place being so burned from the outside that it was structurally unsound, and likely to crash down on whoever entered, while everyone else made sure the doors and windows were locked and barricaded with whatever they could find. The squads knew it wouldn't be enough to stop the vampires if they were discovered but having all entrances to the building locked would still buy them time to escape if worst came to worst.
Instead of helping her superiors and squad mates secure the building, Yuichiro remained next to Shinya who stood in the middle of the main lobby giving out orders. And the major general was completely fine with that since it ensured the younger girl stayed in his sight, just in case she got it into her head to go back for Guren. It was no secret that Yuichiro was devastated at being forced to abandon her guardian to the mercy of an insanely powerful vampire lord. But what everyone present, including Shinya, did not know, was that it hit home for her. And, harder than they could possibly imagine
Because it was not the first time she had left someone she held dear to die.
As she silently watched the members of Guren, Shinoa, and Satoshi's squads move to lock and seal off every entrance to the building that they could find, Yuichiro tried to contemplate on what she should do.
"Yuichiro, are you all right?" Shinoa asked in concern as soon as everyone had finished securing their temporary safe haven. "You've been awfully quiet since we retreated. You need not worry; we should be safe here for now until we can plan our next move."
Yuichiro blinked at her squad leader's question. Although Yuichiro was clearly still upset that Shinya gave the order to leave Guren behind, she said nothing and gave Shinoa a blank stare for a moment before turning her back to her.
"I'm fine, now, Shinoa," Yuu said calmly. "I just need some time alone, if you don't mind."
Without waiting for her squad leader to answer, Yuichiro slowly walked away from the group and made her way up a nearby stairway, not caring where it led. The others watched with concern as she left, but no one tried to stop her.
Worried for her friend, Shinoa was about to say something when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Shinya with the same look of concern in his eyes.
"It's all right, Shinoa," he said gently. "I'll talk to her. Just stay here with everyone until I return."
Although her brother said nothing more, the purple-haired girl understood what he meant.
"Thank you, Nii-san," she said with a look of relief on her face. "That means a lot to me…"
Shinya nodded and patted his sister's hand before he turned and walked up the stairway Yuichiro took just a moment before.
Like with Yuichiro, everyone watched Shinya leave, but no one said a word. There was nothing they could do but let him handle the situation with Yuichiro as he saw fit and quietly chose to await his return.
SSSSSS
After leaving Shinya as well as the rest of her peers on the lower floor, Yuichiro quietly made her way up the stairwell to the rooftop of the building. Like Yoichi and Takishi, as well as Shinya himself, Yuichiro had no fear of high places and casually stepped onto the edge, oblivious to the fact that a ten-story drop awaited her if she were to lose her footing. *2*
Instead, the ravenette's mind left the present and returned to a memory more to her liking, a time when her guardian showed a side of himself to her that few would ever see…
Two years ago…
Fourteen-year-old Yuichiro buried her face in her pillow and sobbed after waking up and finding herself safe in bed instead of the cold hallways of Sanguinem where her brothers and sisters from the Hyakuya Orphanage, including Mikaela, had met their grisly demise. Not wanting to wake anyone in her household since it was the middle of the night, Yuu tried to stay as quiet as possible as well as attempted to relax, so that she could fall back asleep.
Unfortunately, the intensity of her nightmares often made this very difficult and Yuichiro considered getting up to take the sleep medication that Sayuri often left on her night table in case she had difficulty sleeping, when she heard a soft knock on her door.
"Yuichiro, are you awake?"
The girl frowned when she realized that she had indeed woken someone in her household and it was the last person she wanted to disturb. But knowing that Guren wasn't going to be fooled if she pretended to be asleep, Yuichiro sat up and answered him.
"Yes, sir."
"May I come in?"
"Of course. Just give me a minute, I'll be right there."
"No need, Yuu. I can let myself in; just stay where you are."
Yuichiro blinked but obeyed and did not move from her bed as she saw the door to her room open and Guren standing in the doorway. The older man was clad in slacks and a dress shirt instead of his usual sleepwear.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Yuichiro asked.
Guren shook his head. "No, I just haven't been able to sleep yet. What about you? I was passing by your room when I heard you scream.
Yuichiro blinked in confusion.
"Was I? I don't remember that."
"Well, I do. It was just a few moments ago," the older man answered as he walked up to Yuichiro's bedside after pulling a chair from her nearby desk.
The younger girl lowered her head, trying to avoid her guardian's eyes.
"I see… I didn't mean to bother you, Guren."
"You are not bothering me, Yuu. Tell me what's wrong. Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't think you'd be interested, sir."
Guren smiled. "Try me."
Yuichiro sighed and took a deep breath.
"It was about the time I tried to escape the vampire city with my brothers and sisters, the last night I saw them alive before I met you."
"I see… but that's in the past. I know this may be hard to hear, but you must let it go and move on, Yuu."
Yuichiro glared at her guardian and his insensitive words. That they were said with good intentions stung. That he was right stung more.
A lot more.
"Well, that's easy for you to say!" she snapped. "Do you think it's fair that my freedom, my life cost my family theirs?! Especially when I've done nothing to deserve it!? It was all Mika's work, planning, and sacrifice! Akane, Chihiro, Kouta, Tachi, and little Aiko… she was only five years old when that bastard Ferid snuffed out her life! And for nothing more than his own sick, twisted amusement!"
In response to the younger girl's outburst, Guren took her by the shoulders and gave her a firm shake.
"No, it is not easy for me to say. I'm sure Sayuri has told you this before but you must accept that there will be circumstances that are completely beyond your control. Your life was spared that night for a reason, Yuu. Instead of agonizing over who should have gotten that chance, put it to use for the good of others. I'm sure it's what your brothers and sisters would have wanted."
"Wh..what are you trying to say?"
Guren sighed and released Yuichiro before placing a hand under her chin and lifting her face, forcing her eyes to meet his.
"What I am saying is that time favors no one, Yuu. Don't waste your life regretting the past; it does no one any good, especially you. If you don't feel like you have a reason to live then find one."
Yuichiro placed a hand on Guren's forearm but made no move to push him away.
"I haven't been able to find any reason to live since the day I was born, at least not for myself. I pretended to be a boy for most of my life to please my parents. But that still wasn't good enough for them since they tried to kill me anyway for not being born male. Later, I found a new family who might have accepted me for who I really was, but, except for Mika and Akane, they never got the chance to know the real me because they were killed too."
"So, are you saying that you find life too painful to bear? Is that it?"
"At times, yes."
"I understand… I feel the same way too."
Yuichiro stared at her guardian curiously.
"You sound like you speak from experience, Guren."
"In a way, yes. When I was a little older than you, I too, failed to save someone dear to me. Do you know how many nights I stayed up agonizing over why my life was spared but not hers? More than I can count. But I also knew that she would want me to go on with my life and do what I could to help others. I felt that if I stuck around long enough, the day would come when I finally meet someone who needs me. And then I found you, alone, cold and wounded outside of Sanguinem that snowy night."
Yuichiro blushed. "Are you saying that I should do the same?"
"Yes. If you ever find life to be unbearable, concentrate on your studies and training to defeat the vamps; that should give you some focus for the time being.
"I see…thank you. I'll do my best."
Guren smiled as he placed a hand on his ward's lower back and gently eased her back onto the bed. Bending over, the older man placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Good girl," Guren said while gently stroking the girl's soft cheek with his finger. "Live, Yuichiro. And always try your best. That is all I can ask of you. Until you find a new reason to live and even after that, I'll always protect you.
"Mmm…thank you, sir."
"You're welcome, Yuu. Now try to sleep; you've got training tomorrow."
"Yes, Guren."
"Good. And don't worry, I'll stay here until you fall asleep. I promise."
For the first time that evening, Yuichiro smiled, her heart finally at ease.
"Thank you…"
"You're welcome. Now sleep, Yuu…"
Present Day…
Yuichiro sighed and buried her face in her hands as she found herself once more fighting back tears. In her despair, Yuu started to wonder if everything she had done to get to this point had been worthwhile since the end result led her right back to where she'd been the night she lost Mikaela and the others. All those nights she had stayed up late studying only to wake up at the crack of dawn and push her body to the limit with physical training in order to be accepted into the demon army and later the MDC, what was it all for?
In the end, Yuichiro had been just as powerless to save Guren as she had been to save Mikaela. The fact that it had been Shinya's decision to abandon Guren and not her own was of little consolation.
I couldn't save either of them… What was my training and studying all these years for if I still can't change anything? Yuichiro asked herself before a thought came to her.
Reaching into the pocket of her uniform jacket, Yuichiro pulled out the small case of curse stimulant pills that Shinoa had given her before their squad departed for Ebina with Satoshi's. Prying open the lid of the case, she popped two of the tasteless tablets into her mouth before biting off half of a third and swallowing it. *3* Shortly after, Yuichiro heard the door to the stairway she had come through earlier open slowly, creaking noisily in protest after nearly a decade of disuse, and someone walking through it. Without turning around, Yuichiro listen as the person, whom she was sure had to be Shinya, approach.
Not wanting to startle Yuichiro and cause a fatal accident, Shinya made sure to walk slowly and let his footsteps be heard before he made any attempt to console her. When he was sure it was safe to do so, the major general finally spoke.
"Yuichiro…are you alright?" he asked gently with a solemn expression even though he knew the younger girl couldn't see it with her back turned to him. "I know you're angry with me for leaving Guren behind, but please understand, I never wanted to do that; he was my best friend, I knew him since we were your age, but the mission must come first. I'm sure Guren himself would tell you the same if he were here."
For a moment, Yuichiro said nothing, and Shinya worried that his words might have made her feel worse, not better. But even so, it was still something that had to be said. As her superior officer, Shinya knew he owed Yuichiro no explanation for his decision but the younger girl was not just a subordinate to him; if she was, he wouldn't even be here trying to offer her comfort.
As Yuichiro searched her mind for a response to Shinya's apology, she heard her demon contractor whisper:
"It doesn't have to be this way, Yuu… You can still go back for Guren. All you have to do is immobilize Shinya."
"What do you mean, Asuramaru?"
"Don't you see? The major general is the only thing that stands between you and rescuing your guardian. But that is easily remedied by exploiting his weakness, namely yourself. After all, he's always been very fond of you…"
"So, what should I do?"
Asuramaru's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Tempt him…"
Although her demon did not elaborate further, Yuichiro easily caught on to Asuramaru's drift. The answer was so simple, so easy, how could she have not thought of it on her own before he suggested it?
Yuichiro's bangs fell over her face and her lips parted slightly in a devious little smile before she bought her hands up to the collar of her uniform and undid the buttons.
Shinya was about to say something else when Yuichiro finally spoke.
"I know that, sir. I'm not blaming you for anything. After all, you've been so good to me, Shinya…"
When Yuichiro finally turned around and jumped off the building's edge back towards the center where it was safe, Shinya released a breath of relief that she was out of danger. But that didn't last long and the major general's eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat when he saw the younger girl open the top of her uniform jacket and pulled it down to reveal her cleavage as she slowly started to walk towards him, her lips curved in a seductive smile he didn't think she was capable of making.
Until now.
"You once told Mito that I made you tremble with desire when I was but a child. Was that a lie? Because I do know when men desire, Shinya…" *4* Yuichiro said in a husky tone before reaching out and clutching the lapels of his uniform jacket with her delicate, even if sword-calloused hands.
Shinya released a soft gasp at the younger girl's bold words. He couldn't believe Mito actually told Yuichiro that, even if he said it as a joke when he tried to clue her in to the younger girl's true sex when she was pretending to be a boy. Did Mito reveal his mistake in order to get back at him for using Yuu to prank her and Guren?
Well, whether that was Mito's intention or not, Yuichiro knew and now she was going to use that knowledge to her advantage. And too late did Shinya realize his failure to heed Goshi's warning that his habitual flirting with Yuichiro behind Guren's back would eventually lead to trouble.
Giving his jacket a gentle tug, Yuichiro pulled Shinya down to her level before whispering in his ear, her smile mirroring Asuramaru's.
"It's true… You desire me, do you not, Shinya? Haven't you ever found yourself wishing that you had been the one to find me instead of Guren? Hmm?"
Like Guren, Shinya Hiragi had a talent for lying smoothly and convincingly when he chose, but found it impossible to refute or deny Yuichiro's claim. Especially with her giving him such an intense and seductive stare, her bright green irises surrounded by gold rings and burning with lust.
"Yuichiro…" Shinya breathed as he put his hands over hers, not knowing what to say.
If he had truly wanted to, it would have been little trouble for him to push the younger girl away but, to his dismay, found that his body would not obey his mind's command, not when her eyes drew him to her like a moth to flame.
And like Guren, Shinya prided himself on his self-control and self-discipline but even so, he was still human with a young man's hot blood.
How many nights did he stay up wondering if Mahiru might have fallen for him if she had not known Guren? Although he would never admit it, Shinya had always envied his best friend's ability to capture the attention and desires of women without even trying. *5*
And now, Yuichiro, Guren's ward of all people, was offering herself to him.
Looking at her now, it was hard for Shinya to believe that the young girl tempting him was the same one he loved to spoil and dote on as a child. The one who used to laugh and squeal with delight as she hugged him tightly from behind whenever he took her on motorcycle rides without Guren's knowledge or consent, the one who struggled to pretend she didn't admire his body when he was teaching her how to swim.
"Shinya…it's ok. Just give in to me. You'll make me feel so much better, isn't that what you want? I promise I won't tell Guren…" Yuichiro persisted as she tugged on his lapels a bit more insistently while trying to pull him closer to her. "I need you…"
Guren will kill me if he ever finds out about this… Shinya thought. And he was likely right.
But just once, Shinya wanted to sate his curiosity to see if Yuichiro's lips were as soft and sweet as they appeared. Her delicate pink cupid's bow beckoned to him as well as her hypnotic orbs. And before he could stop himself, Shinya closed his eyes, leaned over, and pressed his lips to hers while thinking:
Just one kiss… It can't hurt…
But it did.
Oh, it started out innocently enough but one kiss couldn't satisfy Shinya. He quickly found himself wanting another and another until his self-control finally crumbled to dust and grabbed Yuichiro, crushing her to his chest, kissing her passionately, throwing all restraint, caution, and propriety to the wind.
That was, until he heard a soft warning from his demon contractor in the back of his mind.
"Shinya, stop. It's a trap…"
"What? I don't understand, Byakkomaru."
"The girl…she wants to save her guardian. And to do that, she needs you out of the way…"
"That's absurd, Yuichiro needs me! She should have been mine just as Mahiru should have been mine!" "
"She is deceiving you! Stop her now, Shinya! Or your lust for her will be your undoing!"
Though he had often complained about Byakkomaru always being so serious and no fun, Shinya knew the tiger demon was right; he could taste the curse stimulant pills on Yuichiro's tongue but was too consumed by lust and pleasure to care.
After one more kiss, the once proud major general found himself dropping to his knees, his arms wrapped tightly around Yuichiro's waist before he heard the younger girl snickering at her easy victory over him.
When he finally opened his eyes and looked up Yuu, Shinya saw two small horns protruding from the girl's temples and demonic runes lacing her light alabaster skin. Yuichiro's green eyes were now a ruby-red color with cat-like slits and a pair of vampire-like fangs poked from her lips.
"Hehe…you always were a sucker for a pretty face, Shinya, especially mine," she giggled as she raked her fingers through his white hair before clutching a handful of it tightly in her fist and roughly jerking his head back.
"And that weakness will be your undoing!" Yuichiro hissed, her lovely face twisting into a menacing expression before she bared her fangs and attempted to sink them into Shinya's now exposed throat.
When it registered in his mind that Yuichiro had just echoed Byakkomaru's warning, Shinya finally snapped out of his pleasure-filled haze, his eyes wide with terror.
"No!" he cried as he pushed the younger girl away before collapsing to the ground but quickly propping himself back up on one elbow. "Not while I live! I've sworn to protect you!"
Pulling a magical talisman from a pocket of his uniform jacket, Shinya quickly slapped it to Yuichiro's forehead before she could grab and attempt to bite him again.
"Asuramaru, I command you, release your hold on Yuichiro at once! Restraint!" *6*
The spell took effect instantly and Yuichiro screamed in pain as the small piece of paper burned her skin before she lost consciousness and collapsed against Shinya.
After catching his breath, the major general was about to get up and take Yuichiro into his arms when he suddenly heard running footsteps before the door behind them opened, revealing Goshi and Mito standing in the doorway.
"What's going on?" Mito demanded. "We suddenly heard a scream coming from up here! Did something happen...?"
Shinya was puzzled when he saw Mito suddenly stop speaking as well as Goshi giving him a bewildered look when he finally realized that his squad mates had just found him in a rather compromising position with Yuichiro. With her jacket collar wide open and exposing the tops of her breasts as well his own mussed hair, Shinya knew he was going to have a hell of a time explaining the situation to his friends.
Still, he made the attempt anyway as he brought up a hand while resting the other on Yuichiro's back.
"Wait, I-I can explain!"
Mito gave him a blank stare for a moment before saying. "Never mind. You can do that later; let's just get Yuichiro back inside."
SSSSSS
"So that's what happened…" Goshi said quietly as he looked down at the unconscious Yuichiro who was lying on the floor padded by Yoichi's cape with everyone surrounding her. Shinoa, Mistuba, and the Harada twins were busy checking her for any signs of injury while Mito, Sayuri, and Shigure shot Shinya rather dirty looks for what he had just done.
Norito Goshi, who was ever so concerned when it came to Yuichiro's well-being, much like a doting uncle, pressured Shinya into telling him what happened when he noticed his friend's reluctance to do so.
"Yes…" Shinya admitted as his eyes wandered down to the unconscious girl lying on the floor. "I should have realized that Yuichiro was possessed when she tried to make a move on me like that; it's so unlike her."
The blond man snorted and crossed his arms as he shot his friend a reproachful look.
"Well, I'm glad you had enough sense to stop thinking with your dick when she tried to bite you, Shinya," he said a bit harshly. "I also suggest you not mention any of this to Guren if you want to keep your teeth because, possessed or not, we all know what an over-protective daddy he is over little Yuu."
Shinya rolled his eyes. "Ok, I get it, Goshi, but in case you haven't noticed, she's not so little anymore…"
"Oh, I've noticed all right. But unlike you, I also know there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed. And that's a lesson you'd best learn quickly if you know what's good for you, old friend."
Shinya sighed, his cheeks burned slightly with embarrassment at his lapse of control, but he did not argue because he knew his friend was absolutely right.
SSSSSS
"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty…"
"Huh?" Yuichiro asked groggily as she slowly opened her eyes and found herself not in the waking world, but the world within her mind. Looking up, the ravenette saw her demon contractor perched in a crouching position on a large version of the sword that also carried his name.
Asuramaru rolled his eyes before his lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Well, aren't you full of surprises, Miss Hyakuya? For a moment there, I didn't think you had it in you to make a move on a guy like that. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you'll do anything to save somebody you consider family."
Yuichiro gasped and sat up when the demon boy's words finally sank in and she realized that she had just tried to seduce her superior officer.
Who also happened to be her guardian's best friend.
"W..what the hell did you just make me do, you little bastard?!" Yuichiro demanded as she shot her demon contractor a glare, trying to hide her embarrassment behind a mask of anger.
Asuramaru gave her an innocent look.
"Me? I didn't make you do anything. I only offered you a suggestion on how to save your guardian. You were the one who chose to act on it, or don't you remember?"
"Why you!"
"Oh, please. It's not like you didn't enjoy it just as much as your victim did. In fact, you were quite thrilled to have a superior officer like him at your mercy. And besides, did you forget that I literally live inside your mind and have access to your memories? I know you crushed on the major general almost as much as your own guardian."
Yuichiro gulped. She knew Asuramaru was right. But more importantly, what did Shinya think of her advances? Would he tell Guren?
Although the ravenette did not voice her thoughts, Asuramaru was able to read them and answered her unspoken question.
"Don't worry. I doubt Shinya will speak of your hot little make-out session to Guren. Not unless he wants to lose his teeth, that is," the demon boy said humorously.
Although relieved at the likely truth of Asuramaru's words, Yuichiro tried to change the subject to spare herself further embarrassment.
"Never mind that, Asuramaru," she said in annoyance. "What's done is done. Right now, I need to save Guren but as I am right now, I'm not strong enough; I need more of your power."
"Well, yes, I can see that," the demon boy said wryly. "If power was what you wanted from the start, all you had to do was ask, Miss Hyakuya. You know I feed off your obsessions and desires. However, those pills you took before you smooched the major general are a problem."
"Oh?"
"They release the power of the curse inside you while keeping your greed in check. That contradiction won't do. You can't just take drugs and expect to get stronger without any consequences; that would be wrong. Haven't you ever heard of the law of Equivalent Exchange? *7* To obtain anything, something of equal value must be sacrificed. It basically means that you can't get something for nothing. Everything has its price. Especially the power you desire."
"And what must I sacrifice? My life? Or my free will?"
Asuramaru shrugged. "Does it really matter? After all, you're already dead."
Yuichiro gave him a blank stare.
"What? Don't play games with me!"
"I'm not. While you may be clever enough to avoid overdosing on those curse stimulant pills by just a little, the power of that talisman Shinya slapped on you combined with their effects ruptured your internal organs and caused your heart to explode."
Yuichiro felt herself starting to hyperventilate as her demon contractor's words sunk in.
"No way… am I really dead?"
"Well, yes… or at least, you should be."
Yuichiro found herself looking up at Asuramaru in confusion.
"What do you mean, I 'should' be? Am I actually dead or not?"
The demon boy sighed and pointed up to the sky with its golden-pink hues and white clouds. Confused, Yuichiro looked in the direction of his pointed finger and saw what appeared to be humanoid figures with wings that were clad in white gowns.
"No, you're not. And the only reason you're still among the living is because of those disgusting angels; their power is forcibly keeping you alive."
"Is that right? Hey, what's that over there?" Yuichiro asked as a shiny object in the distance caught her eye after she was tired of looking at the angels in the sky.
Asuramaru followed her gaze and frowned as his eyes took in the object that caught his mistress's fancy.
"Oh that? Beats me. From here, it looks like some kind of horn or trumpet."
"Yes, that's what I thought," Yuichiro agreed. "It's strange, but, for some reason, I really want it."
"You do, huh? Well, I wouldn't recommend you go near that thing. Angels can be far nastier than demons, so you're better off sticking with me."
The ravenette smirked. "I am? And how do I know I can believe you?"
Asuramaru chuckled. "Oh, you're just going to have to trust me, Miss Hyakuya. In any case, your heart has started to beat again. Now that that's fixed, I should be able to take care of the rest."
"I still want the trumpet," Yuichiro insisted as she started to take a step towards the shiny object of her desire.
In response, Asuramaru grabbed his mistress firmly by the wrist and forced her to face him. His smile vanished and his expression was now dead serious.
"I really must insist that you don't go near it for both our sakes. Read my lips, Yuichiro Hyakuya: accept me and nothing else. I will heal you and give you the power you need."
Yuichiro snapped out of her trance and glared at her demon contractor.
"If you want me to do that, then put your money where your mouth is, Asuramaru!"
The demon boy laughed mirthlessly.
"Haha… You greedy little wench. Can't you feel it? I've already given it to you; two and a half pills worth of the drug is still in effect within you. This means you can use my power for the next four to five minutes *8* without becoming a demon if you still wish to rescue your guardian. Use your time wisely, Miss Hyakuya. Now wake up and do what you need to do!"
SSSSSS
Yuichiro released a soft gasp as her eyes flew open, and she found herself lying on the floor padded by Yoichi's cape in the corner of the lobby of the building she and her comrades have taken refuge in.
Turning her head, she saw Shinya along with the other members of the three squads that were now under his command gathered in the middle of the lobby and from the look of things, discussing strategies.
Not wanting anyone to know she was awake, Yuichiro listened quietly for a few moments as Shinya gave the squads their next order.
"Goshi, I want you to take the girls and meet up with Narumi's squad. The kids and I will catch up with you later after we figure out a way to wake Yuichiro up. Right now, I fear it will be too risky to move Yuu in her condition."
The blond man agreed. "I understand, Shinya. Best of luck to you."
"You too. See you at the airport soon."
After Goshi had left with Mito, Sayuri, and Shigure, Shinya turned to Shinoa and Satoshi and said:
"We won't be able to wait for much longer. If Yuichiro does not wake up on her own soon, I may have to find a way to force her…"
But before the major general could even finish his sentence, everyone in the room heard the loud shattering of a window and assuming that they have been found by the vampires, quickly turned towards the sound with their weapons drawn only to find that there was none in sight. However, they did notice something even more alarming:
Yuichiro was gone.
Footnotes:
1. In the anime, vampires are seen turning to ash as soon as they die. In the manga, the corpses of the vampire soldiers Mika ambushed on the aircraft were seen littering the floor so I assume it may take a few moments before they finally turn to ash.
2. Since snipers must be able to hit their targets from a distance and from almost anywhere, I assume they have little to no fear of high places. In my AU, fem!Yuu has never really been bothered by heights.
3. Male!Yuu takes three curse stimulant pills which is considered a fatal overdose. Fem!Yuu is smart enough to avoid overdosing by taking two and a half instead.
4. Refer to "Who She is Within", Chapter 9.
5. In the Guren LNs, Shinya was originally engaged to marry Mahiru but as she was already in love with Guren, Mahiru refused to accept him, only pretending she did in order for her father, Tenri Hiragi, to spare his life. It is unclear whether Shinya had any romantic feelings for Mahiru but I based his scene with fem!Yuu on the assumption that he did.
6. The Shinya/fem!Yuu kiss scene was written to parallel the Guren/Mito kiss scene from the Guren LNs as well as based off a scene between Mina Harker and Dr. Abraham Van Helsing from the Bram Stoker movie version of "Dracula", in which Mina attempts to seduce Van Helsing in order to immobilize him and go to Dracula. Likewise fem!Yuu attempted to immobilize Shinya so she can rescue Guren.
7. In the anime "Fullmetal Alchemist", the Law of Equivalent Exchange is the principle that humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. Asuramaru references equivalent exchange to make fem!Yuu understand that she cannot obtain the power she desires without giving up something of equal value to her.
8. In canon, Asuramaru tells male!Yuu that he has only two to three minutes before the effects of the curse stimulant pills wore off but in my AU, I've decided to expand it to four to five minutes to give fem!Yuu more time for the dialog between her and Crowley that I plan for the next chapter.
